Overload cable release



H. H. HANSEN OVERLOAD CABLE RELEASE June n23, 1953 Filed Jan. 2. 1951 ATTORNEYS .f

Patented .une 23,v 195.3

UNITED-STATES PATENT OFFICE OVERLOAD CABLE RELEASE Harding H. Hansen, Linn Grove, Iowal Application January 2, 1951, Serial No. 203,977

1 claim. 1

This invention relates to means for automatically releasing the usual clutch-actuating cable or rope of a tractor pulled plow to the end that the plow clutch will be relieved of excessive strain which would otherwise damage and render the plow inoperative, should the plow encounter stationary objects such as rocks, stumps or the like.

An important object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which may be readily and easily secured adjacent to the seat of the tractor, where it will be easily accessible to the operator of the tractor, the device being applied without the necessity of making alterations in the general tractor or plow construction, in order to mount the device.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claim, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawing,

Figure l is a perspective View illustrating a tractor-drawn plow supplied with a cable or rope by means of which the clutch lever or plow lever is raised or lowered.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the cable attaching device forming the essence of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the attachment.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the reference character 5v indicates a tractor, and the reference character I indicates the tractor seat.

The reference character 'I indicates generally a plow of the gang type, which is provided with plow blades 8 that are raised and lowered, by means of the lever 9 mounted on the frame of the plow. The plow is drawn by the tractor 5, through the hitch bar IB.

The reference character I I indicates the usual lever or clutch operating cable or rope, which is attached to the lever 9, and usually extends to a point adjacent to the operators seat, Where it is rigidly secured to the tractor. In the present invention, the means for connecting the cable or rope II to the tractor is such that it will automatically be disconnected from the tractor, to eliminate any possibility of the plow being damaged, should the plow blades engage a stationary object, such as a deeply embedded rock or stump which would otherwise damage the plow or clutch mechanism in the event that the clutch cable or rope II is connected to a clutch lever.

rIhe device comprises the bracket I2 which iS bolted to the tractor seat, as shown by Fig. l,

the bracket I2 having a depending arm I3 formed with an opening through which one end of the tubular housing I4 extends, the tubular housing being externally threaded to receive the nuts I5 that clamp the arm I3 therebetween.

The device also includes the tube l5 which is formed with an elongated opening in the side thereof, through which the spring I6 which is of leaf construction, extends, the spring I@ having its ends secured to the wall of the tube I5, by means of rivets I'l.

The spring I6 is so constructed and arranged that it will press against the cable or rope II which is positioned in the tube I5', the end of the cable or rope II being provided with the sleeve I8 which is rrnly clamped to the cable or rope II.

The tube I5 is formed with an annular flange I9 formed on the outer end thereof, which flange provides a stop as it moves against one end of the tubular housing I4. It will be obvious that when the end of the cable or rope II is inserted in the tubular housing I4, the spring I5 will bend in a manner as shown by Fig. 2, exerting pressure against the inner surface of the tubular housing I4 to cause the tube I5' with the cable or rope II, to be held in position within the tubular housing I 4, by frictional contact therewith.

Under ordinary conditionsfthe cable or rope II will be held in place within the tubular housing I4, but upon the application of excessive strain or torque on the cable or rope II`, the cable or rope II together with the tube I5', will be withdrawn from the tubular housing I4 relieving the lever S or clutch controlled thereby of excessive strain which would otherwise tend to damage the plow mechanism, to render the same inoperative.

In the event that the cable or rope II Should be pulled from the tubular housing I4, the cable may be readily inserted in the tubular housing by forcing the tube I5' into the housing. The replacement of the end of the cable within the tubular housing I4 Will take place after the plows have been moved to disengage stationary objects against which they have moved.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

A device for securing the clutch control cable of an agricultural machine to a tractor, comprising a tubular housing, means for securing the housing to a tractor, a tube having an elongated opening formed in the wall thereof, secured on one end of said cable, a leaf spring secured on said tube With portions thereof extending outwardly and vinwardly through said elongated opening, said spring engaging the Wall of the housing and cable when tted in said housing, normally holding said tube in the housing by frictional contact, an annular flangeformed on cable.

HARDING H. HANSEN.

References Cited in the le 0f this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,227,446 Jensen May 22, 1917 2,036,953 Morris Apr. 7, 1936 

